Short-term Comparison of Diathermy and Dry Needling for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial to compare two treatments for chronic low back pain CLBP diathermy and dry needling. The study aims to determine if diathermy is more effective than dry needling in reducing pain intensity over the short term. Participants will have chronic non-specific low back pain lasting more than six weeks and will be evaluated on pain, disability, fear of movement, and pain catastrophizing. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either diathermy treatment or dry needling. Diathermy involves applying a TCaRe Power diathermy instrument to the lumbar region for 10 minutes on each side with massage techniques, while dry needling uses a 4cm needle to target the most painful lumbar muscle areas with 12 incisions followed by a one-minute ischemic compression. Both groups will complete a home exercise program. The study will take place from August 2022 to March 2023. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. Measurements include pain intensity using a visual analogue scale, disability via the Rolland-Morris questionnaire, fear of movement with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, and pressure pain threshold. The study uses analysis of variance and moderation analysis to evaluate results, with safety and adherence monitored throughout. Total participation spans approximately three months after treatment.

Dry Needlig Vesus Tecartherapy in Low-back Pain Treatment